Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK Administered by the University of West Florida William B. Lees, Ph.D., RPA, Director www.fl publicarchaeology.org The Florida Public Archaeology Network (Network) is a new statewide program administered by the University of West Florida (UWF) in cooperation with the Florida Division of Historical Resources (DHR) that completed its first year of operation on June 30, 2005. During the 2004 legislative session, the state legislature authorized the creation of a Florida network of public archaeology centers administered by the University of West Florida (Florida Historical Resources Act s. 267.145, Florida Statutes). As presented in statute, the goal of this network is to help stem the rapid deterioration of this state s buried past and to expand public interest in archaeology (s. 267.145(1), Florida Statutes). Inspired by statewide programs in Arkansas and Louisiana, the new Florida Public Archaeology Network is nonetheless uniquely structured to communicate the importance of and facts about Florida archaeology to the resident and visiting public and to those who hold the public s trust. During FY2004-2005 a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was drafted between the Florida Department of State and the University of West Florida providing for the creation and operation of the Network. Development of the MOA was accomplished through the actions of a UWF Steering Committee appointed by President John Cavanaugh. Designed to achieve broad representation of the Florida and national archaeological profession, the Steering Committee consisted of Marion Almy (Archaeological Consultants, Inc.), Elizabeth Benchley (UWF), Judy Bense (UWF), Bob Carr (Archaeological and Historical Conservancy), Gregory Cook (UWF), Hester Davis (University of Arkansas), Thomas Eubanks (Louisiana State Archaeologist, Division of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism), Lynne Goldstein (Michigan State University), Bill Marquardt (University of Florida), July 1, 2005, signing ceremony of the Florida Public Archaeology Network Memorandum of Agreement in historic downtown Pensacola. UWF Archaeologist Judy Bense at podium; Seated left to right: State Archaeologist Ryan Wheeler, DHR Director Fred Gaske, Assistant Secretary of State Candice Crawford, UWF President John Cavanaugh; Standing left to right: Pensacola Archaeological Society President John Crane, Department of State Legislative Affairs Director Rivers Bufford III. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 1
Jim Miller (Consultant and former State Archaeologist, Tallahassee), Sheila Stewart (Florida Anthropological Society), Brent Weisman (University of South Florida), and Ryan Wheeler (State Archaeologist, Florida Division of Historical Resources). As the Steering Committee worked to finalize the MOA, funds for the operation of the Network were included in the annual appropriation for the University of West Florida during the 2005 session of the Florida legislature. When passed, the University budget included funding for the Network, which became available on July 1, 2005. On this same day, with the UWF archaeological field school as a backdrop, a ceremony was held in downtown Pensacola during which the MOA was signed making the Florida Public Archaeology Network a reality. At the outset, and as provided by the MOA, the Network was guided by the advice of the Steering Committee. Administratively, the Network is housed within the UWF College of Arts and Sciences where it complements the work of the Department of Anthropology and the Archaeology Institute. The Network began FY2005-2006 with no staff, equipment, or facilities, but with a grand vision and an ambitious charge. I. Goals and Objectives for FY 2005-2006 MOA: The operational goals of the Florida Public Archaeology Network are defined by the 1. Public Outreach The Regional Centers will develop visible public outreach programs, including promotion of archaeological/heritage tourism; partnerships with Florida Anthropological Society chapters and other regional heritage organizations; dissemination of archaeological information to the public; promotion of existing regional heritage events and programs; and promotion of archaeological volunteer opportunities. Outreach may include development of portable regional archaeological exhibits, creation of a regional archaeology webpage, as well as distribution of regional archaeological literature. 2. Assistance to Local Governments The Regional Center will support local governments in their efforts to preserve and protect regional archaeological resources by assisting with local archaeological ordinances, comprehensive plan elements, and preservation plans; providing professional archaeological assistance with local archaeological emergencies; and advising local governments on the best management practices for municipally-owned and county-owned archaeological sites. 3. Assist the Division in its Archaeological Responsibilities The Regional Centers will assist the Division in its archaeological responsibilities by promoting Division programs, including grants; by supporting the Division with venues and professional assistance for regional training opportunities; by referring local inquiries to the appropriate Division offi ce or staff member; by distributing literature promulgated by the Division; and by assisting with and promoting the identifi cation and nomination of local archaeological sites to the Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 2
National Register of Historic Places. These goals presume the presence of an administrative structure and infrastructure for the Network, which did not exist at the beginning of FY2005-2006. The primary Goal and Objective for FY2005-2006, therefore, was the creation of the Network through the establishment of the UWF Coordinating Center in Pensacola and three Charter Regional Public Archaeology Centers elsewhere in Florida. Year in Review Anticipating funding of the Network, the University conducted a successful search for a director of the Network during spring 2005. Interviews before the Steering Committee were held in June and an offer was made to and accepted by Dr. William B. Lees, Vice President of Business Development and Special Projects at Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Lees appointment as Director began on August 8, 2005. The headquarters of the Network was programmed to be part of UWF s downtown campus. The vision was to house the Coordinating Center in a rehabilitated L&N Marine Terminal building, and perhaps ultimately to have space in the proposed Pensacola Maritime Museum. Dr. William B. Lees Because rehabilitation of the L&N was still in the planning stages, a temporary location was required. Consultation with West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc., which administers the downtown campus, and with UWF s Public History Program, led to an agreement for the Network Coordinating Center to temporarily share the Old Christ Church Parish School House with the Public History Program. During August and September with a very brief hiatus caused by power loss from Hurricane Katrina Dr. Lees began the work of establishing the administrative infrastructure for the Network within the University, and of establishing the physical offices of the Network on the second floor of the Parish School House. The Network Temporary offices of the FPAN Coordinating Center. was a new administrative unit of the University within the College of Arts and Sciences, and the offices lacked appropriate phone, Internet, and office and computer equipment when first occupied. Dr. Bense of Anthropology and Dr. Benchley and Karen Mims of the Archaeology Institute were critical in this early stage of development of the Network. Dr. Lees has been assisted also by part-time Network assistant Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook. During the fall, positions for the Office/Grants Manager and the Public Archaeologist at Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 3
the Coordinating Center were created, and were posted in October. Interviews for the Office/Grants Manager were held in January and resulted in the selection of long-time UWF employee Cheryl Phelps, who started work at the Network on February 13. Interviews for Public Archaeologist were held in February and resulted in the selection of internationally renowned archaeologist Cheryl Phelps Dr. Della Scott-Ireton of the Florida Division of Historical Resources, who began work on April 17. On September 14 and 15, the Network s Steering Committee convened in Pensacola at the new temporary Coordinating Center. The major topic of discussion at this meeting was the selection process for Charter Regional Public Archaeology Centers. Pursuant to this meeting, Dr. Lees and Carol Rafalski of UWF s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs developed an RFP for Charter Regional Centers and made it available in October on the Network Web site. Proposals were due on November 18; proposals were posted on a UWF FTP site for review by the Steering Committee or interested public. The Steering Committee Steering Committee members assembled in Pensacola in September (left to right): Jim Miller, William Lees (FPAN Director), Elizabeth Benchley, Ryan Wheeler, Bill Marquardt, Greg Cook, Lynne Goldstein, Judy Bense, Sheila Stewart, Hester Davis. Not present are Marion Almy, Bob Carr, Thomas Eubanks, and Brent Weisman. Dr. Della Scott-Ireton convened in a public meeting conference call on December 12 and selected three proposals to host a Charter Regional Public Archaeology Center. These were for a center in St. Augustine hosted by Flagler College, for a center in Tampa hosted by the University of South Florida, and for a center in Pineland hosted by the Florida Museum of Natural History. Contracts for the operation of these Charter Regional Centers were developed by Ms. Rafalski and Dr. Lees during December and January, and were sent to the respective host institutions in early February. The St. Augustine Center is to be located on the Flagler campus in the city s historic downtown. Temporary office space will be used until Flager completes restoration of historic Markland Cottage for use as the home of this Center. The Tampa Center will be housed at MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry. This location ensures access to a large number of interested, Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 4
Markland Cottage on the Flagler Campus. Future home of the St. Augustine Regional Public Archaeology Center. Tampa s Museum of Science and Industry and the location of the Tampa Regional Public Archaeology Center. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 5
Randell Research Center at the Pineland Archaeological Site. Future home of the Pineland Regional Public Archaeology Center. visiting public. The Pineland Center will be housed at the Randell Research Center at the Pineland Archaeological Site on Pine Island which has an established local public archaeology program. Each Center will deliver public archaeology services to a multi-county region surrounding their office location. Host institutions began development of their Charter Regional Centers in the late winter and spring by searching for Directors, preparing temporary and/or permanent office space, and by acquiring equipment. Since the Directors are employees of the host institution, each search was conducted separately although each position was advertised nationally and resulted in strong, national applicant pools. Representatives appointed by the hosts, Network Director Lees, and State Archaeologist Wheeler constituted the selection committees for each position. Interviews for the St. Augustine Charter Regional Center Director were held in St. Augustine on April 17, 18, and 19. Four candidates were brought in concurrently, with two being interviewed and presenting evening public lectures on the first day and two on the second day. The selection committee was convened on the third day and a selection was made. An offer by Flagler College was Sarah Miller. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 6
made to Sarah Miller of the Kentucky Archaeological Survey in Lexington, Kentucky. Ms. Miller accepted and began work on May 11. Ms. Miller was extremely active during the final months of the fiscal year in establishing the infrastructure for the St. Augustine Center and in beginning to make the contacts that will be essential for its success during the coming year. Interviews for the Tampa Charter Regional Center Director were held in Tampa on May 15 and 16. Four candidates were brought in concurrently, with all being interviewed on the first day. On the evening of the first day, each candidate also made an evening public presentation as part of a panel. The selection committee was convened on the second day and a selection was made. An offer by the University of South Florida was made to Mr. Richard Estabrook of SEARCH, Inc. of Gainesville. Mr. Estabrook accepted and began work on June 16. Interviews of two candidates for the Pineland Charter Regional Center Director were held in Pineland, the first on May 3 and 4 and the second on May 16 and 17. The selection committee was unable to reach consensus and a decision was made to reopen the search for this position and conduct additional Rich Estabrook. interviews drawn from any new applicants. It was decided to bring in the top candidate from the first round of interviews for a second interview along with two additional candidates. Applications in the second round closed on June 16 and interviews are scheduled for July 6 and 7, 2006. Concurrent with development of the RFP for Charter Regional Centers, a draft of an amendment to the Network MOA was developed to resolve two issues that were identified during the initial months of operation of the Network. First was to clarify the intent of the Steering Committee by changing the definition of institutions eligible to host a Regional Center from state universities to public and private universities in Florida. The second issue related to removing potential for conflict with the Florida open meetings act by removing the Network Director from the Network board and making this position Executive Bill Marquardt, Karen Walker, and candidate Kara Bridgman Sweeney Officer of the board. The Director at the Pineland Site during May. of the UWF Archaeology Institute was designated as a staff advisor to the board. The amendment became effective on January 4 with the signatures of President John Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 7
Cavanaugh and Dean Jane Halonen for UWF and JuDee Pettijohn, Deputy Secretary of State, and Fred Gaske, Director of DHR. The MOA provided for the transition from the Steering Committee to an advisory Board of Directors. This transition began during the winter, with UWF President John Cavanaugh appointing Judy Bense (chair), Greg Cook, and Norma Harris as UWF representatives. The Florida Archaeological Council appointed Jim Miller as their representative, and the Florida Anthropological Society appointed Sheila Stewart. State Archaeologist Ryan Wheeler joined the board as ex-officio member. These core directors of the Network Board were then to appoint the at-large directors. In a public meeting conference call on April 10, the core directors appointed in-state directors Marion Almy and Robert Carr, and non-florida directors Hester Davis and Lynne Goldstein. All members of the new Board of Directors had thus also served on the Steering Committee. Steering Committee members Thomas Eubanks, William Marquardt, and Brent Weisman did not continue on the new, smaller Board of Directors. The first full meeting of the Network Board of Directors was held in Stuart at the annual meeting of the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) in May. The main work before the board was reviewing the process of selecting the additional Regional Public Archaeology Centers, and Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 8
Board of Directors at their first full meeting (left to right): Jim Miller, Sheila Stewart, Elizabeth Benchley (Staff Advisor), Ryan Wheeler, Greg Cook, Lynne Goldsetin, Judy Bense, William Lees (Director), Hester Davis, Norma Harris. Not shown are Marion Almy (present) and Bob Carr. UWF s L&N Marine Terminal: Future home of the Coordinating Center of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 9
debating and approving four additional regions that complete the coverage of Florida with Public Archaeology Centers. The new regions are the Big Bend, Central, East Central, and Southeast. The RFP for the remaining Centers is to be issued in July with proposals due in October. The RFP will seek proposals for hosts to provide public archaeology services within these specific regions. Hosts selected will be expected to begin startup of the new Centers during Spring 2006 with the first full year of operation being FY2006-2007. During the FAS meetings, the Network was highly visible. Director Lees reviewed the status of the Network and introduced staff before the boards of the Florida Anthropological Society and the Florida Archaeological Council, and delivered a keynote statement on the Network at the Florida Archaeological Council s Stewards of Heritage awards program. Architectural design for renovation of the L&N Marine Terminal was completed at the end of the Fiscal Year. West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. approved bids for construction using Wescon Corporation as the construction management firm. Construction will begin during July 2006 with an estimated occupancy by the Florida Public Archaeology Network during the fall. Design work for public archaeology exhibits in the L&N, which began with conceptual discussions during FY2005-2006, will continue resulting in installation following completion of the building renovations. Exhibits will feature the archaeology of Florida designed as a road map for the touring public, and featuring musuems and sites in the state that the public can visit. Publicity of the Network occurred throughout the year. A redesigned Web site was developed in the fall with the assistance of Information Technology Services at the University of West Florida, and went live in January. Presentations on the Network were made to the annual meeting of the Trail of the Lost Tribes in Gainesville on October 14; to the Florida Archaeological Council Board in Gainesville on October 15; on November 3 at the Southeastern Archaeological Conference in Columbia, South Carolina; at the annual conference of the Society for Historical Archaeology on January 12 in Sacramento, California; to the Florida Anthropological Society Board in Winter Park on November 12; to the Pensacola Archaeological Society on April 17; at the annual conference of the Society for American Archaeology on April 28 in San Juan, Puerto Rico; to the Boards of the Florida Anthropological Society and Florida Archaeological Council in Stuart on May 12; and at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation annual meeting in St. Augustine on May 19. Network headquarters were open during the UWF Winter Gala on December 3 and again on June 3 during Pensacola Heritage Days. The Network was represented at UWF Day at the State Capital on March 8. II. Summary of Major Accomplishments in FY2005-2006 The Memorandum of Agreement between the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the University of West Florida defining the operation of the Florida Public Archaeology Network was signed in a ceremony in downtown Pensacola on July 1. An amendment of the MOA was prepared in the fall and was signed and became effective on January 4. Dr. William B. Lees began work as Network Director on August 8 after being selected in a successful nation-wide search during the spring. The UWF Coordinating Center for the Network was established in temporary offices in Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 10
the Christ Church Parish School House in the University s downtown campus. Successful searches were held for an Office and Grants Manager and for a Public Archaeologist for the Coordinating Center. Long-time UWF employee Cheryl Phelps was hired as Office and Grants Manager after a local search, and internationally recognized archaeologist Dr. Della Scott-Ireton was hired as Public Archaeologist as the result of a national search. Meetings of the Network Steering Committee were held in September in Pensacola and via conference call in December. A Request for Proposal for hosting Charter Regional Centers of the Network was issued in October with proposals due in November. In a conference call in December the Network Steering Committee selected Flagler College as host for a public archaeology center located in St. Augustine, the University of South Florida as host for a center in Tampa, and the University of Florida Museum of Natural History as host for a center in Pineland. Contracts were sent to the host institutions in February and were finalized and signed during the spring. Successful national searches for Director/Public Archaeologist for the St. Augustine and Tampa centers were conducted in the spring, resulting in the selection of Sarah Miller for the St. Augustine Center and Richard Estabrook for the Tampa Center. Ms. Miller began work in St. Augustine in May and Mr. Estabrook began work in Tampa in June. A national search was begun for Director/Public Archaeologist for the Pineland center but was not complete at the end of the Fiscal Year. The Steering Committee was transitioned to a Board of Directors as provided for in the MOA. Core directors were appointed by UWF, Florida Anthropological Society, and Florida Archaeological Council, and convened in conference call in April to select the atlarge members of the board. The first full meeting of the Board of Directors was held in Stuart in May at the annual meetings of the Florida Anthropological Society. Architectural design for the L&N Marine Terminal renovation was complete at the end of the Fiscal Year. West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. approved bids for construction using Wescon Corporation as the construction management firm. Construction is scheduled to begin during July 2006 with an estimated occupancy by the Florida Public Archaeology Network during the fall. Publicity for the Florida Public Archaeology Network included design and release of a new FPAN Web site (www.flpublicarchaeology.org); presentation of papers on the Network at the Southeastern Archaeological Conference in Columbia, South Carolina, at the Society for Historical Archaeology in Sacramento, California, and at the Society for American Archaeology in San Juan, Puerto Rico; by presentations at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, the Florida Archaeological Council, the Florida Anthropological Society, and the Trail of the Lost Tribes annual meeting; and by presentation of information in a variety of newsletters and Internet list serves. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 11
III. Goals and Objectives for 2006-2007 Continue to implement the MOA for the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Oversee the first full year of operation of Charter Regional Centers in St. Augustine, Tampa, Pineland. Select Director/Public Archaeologist for Pineland Center. Occupy L&N terminal and install exhibits; develop public archaeology program for NW Florida. Prepare RFP and select hosts for remaining four Regional Centers; Select Directors. Continue to upgrade Web site and develop Network informational materials. Hold one to two meetings of Regional Center staff. Hold one to two meetings of Board of Directors. Promote the Network at meetings of the Florida Archaeological Council, Florida Anthropological Society, Society for American Archaeology, Society for Historical Archaeology, World Archaeological Congress, European Association of Archaeologists, and Diving Equipment and Marketing Association. Prepare proposal to host the 2010 annual conference of the Society for Historical Archaeology. Florida Public Archaeology Network Annual Report 2005-2006 Page 12